Can we save the planet with Narual skin care?

• March 25, 2019

Organic, natural and non-GMO are not just a way of life now. Being kinder to our planet is a trend that has implicated going without any artificial ingredients in our diet, fashion and skin care. The way we see beauty products today is changing with the way we want to be eco-friendly, free from animal testing, and ethically made with “natural” ingredients. But what does “natural” skin care really mean? Is it free from chemicals, from animal products or from artificial fragrance?

Consider this example.
When you take a vitamin C supplement, your body will not know whether it’s from an orange or from a pill, as long as the molecular structure is the same. So when a chemical product is made in a laboratory, but with the same ingredients as its natural counterpart, that’s what translates into a successful beauty product. These days however, people want all-natural alternatives that directly come from nature, as the trend is to move away from chemicals and take care of their environment.
Any chemicals produced eventually have a toxic waste that will end up being harmful to the planet. We want organic products, but not only because it’s safer for earth, because it’s also safer for our health. Studies now have proved that more we stay close to nature, the more we can avoid immunosuppressant diseases, and have a clear conscience during a pregnancy.

But how effective are the completely natural products?
All reasonable beauty experts will know they should move away from phthalates and parabens which are endocrine disrupters (ask your endocrinologist). Furthermore, smart shoppers will also stay away from silicones that are present in mass manufactured beauty products. The trend is moving towards natural ingredients that are not only better for the environment, but also better for your health.
Think more of the old fashioned ingredients that are proven to be effective:
Anti-wrinkle and skin-soothing: rose-hip oil, vitamin B3.
Anti-hyperpigmentation: green tea, licorice, mulberry extract. Also vitamin A and C which will allow a smooth peeling of dead cells without causing any redness.
Anti-inflammation: argan oil, chamomile, aloe.
Hydration: rice and cotton extract.
Anti-oxydant: rose, rosemary oil.
Anti-acne: black willow bark (salicylic acid).
These natural plant-based extracts provide hydration, combat the stressors that cause dryness and return the glow to your skin. With results for all skin types, there is a choice for washing away dead skin cells and illuminating your complexion in minutes.

Now comes the big question: what about deeply set wrinkles that need a truly strong anti-aging effect?
To achieve smoothness, reduced pores and increased firmness there is no natural equivalent to Retinol (retinoic acid: which is chemically produced vitamin A). Retinoids are available in various creams and over-the-counter products, and they are a stronger version of the natural vitamin A: therefore they impact your skin for a maximum cell turnover and antiaging. So the synthetic Retinol molecule is not the same shape as the natural vitamin A.

Will you still use it though?
That’s what cosmetic companies are answering for us today. The technology and research all point towards more sustainable solutions, and we will soon have more than one option available for us. As people get informed and involved about what to use on their own skin, the market has responded with many answers. The beauty manufacturers are giving us more than ever what we want: safe products that are a combination of natural and synthetic that will not cause any waste or harm, and that still deliver results. This category described by some as “clean-clinical” is using the most effective ingredients that are a balance between what feels good and what works. You can want an organic lifestyle but still get Botox, it’s a matter of finding your own balance.

A happy compromise for all?
Do your research, keep up with the trends but also be aware of what you are putting on your skin and throwing in your environment.
Beauty has always been inspired by nature, and that’s just how we like to look: naturally beautiful.